The 2019 BCE Excellence Awards were held 7 August at the Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre. The Archbishop of Brisbane, Mark Coleridge joined with more than 500 BCE employees in celebrating the exemplary performance and achievements of 150 nominees across BCE schools and offices.
The Australian Catholic University Award for Excellence as an Early Career Teacher. (less than 5 years).
Winner: Eryn Gower - St Mary’s College, Ipswich
Eryn Gower’s great love of teaching and her students is clear. She celebrates learning, progress and achievement with timely and relevant feedback to students and is focused on student progress and wellbeing. Eryn has spear-headed the introduction of Media Arts at the college. She has demonstrated capacity to develop engaging units, assessment and learning experiences for her students. The College is delighted to witness the growth of this new curriculum area.
The Australian Catholic University Award for Excellence in Religious Education or ‘Building Strong Catholic Identity’
Winner: Jacqui Winmill - Siena Catholic Primary School, Sippy Downs
As APRE, the living out of Catholic spirituality has been an important part of Jacqui work. She has led many initiatives in building the Catholic Identity of the school, including the building of a labyrinth and taking groups of children on prayerful journeys in this sacred space. She truly lives the words of St Catherine of Siena, “Be the person God meant you to be and you will set the world afire”.
The Australian Catholic University Award for Excellence in Creating a Sustainable Future by Developing Colleagues
Winner: Shaun Lendrum - St John’s College, Nambour
Shaun is the model of a servant leader, having mentored staff within the Science department and across the school, working with individuals and groups, both early career teachers and experienced teachers and developed a culture of collaboration within the school. He has gone above and beyond what is expected, to develop colleagues both inside of and external to his own department and college.
The QIEC Super Award for Excellence in Learning and Teaching in Secondary School
Winner: Kathryn Flint - Seton College, Mt Gravatt East
Kathryn holds the positions of Pathways Leader and RTO Manager and throughout Kathryn’s long career, she has tirelessly advocated for students with disabilities. Her faith and dedication to the College’s mission and vision ensures her students are imbued with the values of integrity, unity, respect and service to others. She has an unreserved commitment to building a better world by imbuing students with the qualifications, practice and confidence necessary for success in the world of work and beyond.
The QIEC Super Award for Excellence in Learning and Teaching in Primary School
Winner: Diane McClure - St Mary’s Catholic Primary School, Beaudesert
Diane consistently demonstrates the values of Excellence, Integrity, Justice and Hope by displaying an outstanding commitment to the teaching of students across all year levels (not only her Year 4 class), collaboration with colleagues, and building positive relationships with parents and the St Mary’s parish community. She embraces the religious identity of the school, nurturing a culture that is faith filled and rich in spirit.
The TUH award for Excellence in Supporting Learning and Teaching through a BCE Office Role
Winner: Mary Smith - School Service Centre North, North Lakes
Mary Smith facilitates the organisation of all professional learning at North Lakes. She provides valuable assistance to BCE educational facilitators who build capacity in our teaching staff. Mary goes above and beyond and she provides a unique experience to all. Her service ensures that facilitators can focus on their work at hand, empowering our school staff to grow engagement, progress achievement and the wellbeing for every student in our schools.
The TUH award for Excellence in Supporting Learning and Teaching in Schools
Winner: Julie O'Connell - All Saints’ School, Boonah
Julie O’Connell is a School Officer – Teacher Aide and received four separate and glowing nominations from her colleagues. One of Julie’s greatest strengths is her initiative. Julie goes about her work with humility and with a quiet confidence making her an exceptionally valued member of the All Saints’ community. She has been called the jewel in the school’s crown.
The Teachers Mutual Bank Award for School Excellence in Learning and Teaching
Winner: Our Lady of Fatima Primary School, Acacia Ridge
Our Lady of Fatima is an excellent example of precise and targeted practices resulting in improvement in the achievement of literacy. As a team, Our Lady of Fatima continues to develop a positive school culture and environment, that is dedicated to each other, the students and community as life-long learners and in the face of the Catholic Charism that the school embodies.
Archbishop’s Award for Leadership
Winner: Paul Begg - St Joseph's College, Coomera
Paul certainly possesses the hard skills necessary to complete the tasks associated with his position, but this is not what makes him a great leader. It’s the soft skills which are naturally more difficult to define and evaluate, that make Paul the leader he is, and enable him to create a strong learning culture and to nurture the development of leadership skills in others. Paul has been instrumental not only in shaping the vision and mission of the school’s Catholic community but also in inspiring all members of the community to play a significant role in this journey.